Structural holding clip



July 12, 1938 H. G. woEHLER `ET Al.

STRUCTURAL HOLDING CLIP Filed sept. 11, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet l FIGZ.

July 12, 1938. H. G WOEHLER ET A1. 2,123,458

STRUCTURAL HOLDING CLIP Filed Sept. ll, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I "fJuly 12, 193s.

H. G. WOEHLER ET AL STRUCTURAL HOLDING CLIP Filed Sepi. 1l, 1937 3Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 45 m f; V e f Patented July l2, 1938 UNITED STATES2,123,458 i STRUCTURAL nomme om nem-y o. wol'uer and waiter J. Woenler,st. Louis, Mo., assignors to Niedringhaus, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., acorporation o! Missouri 16 Claims.

This invention relates to structural holding clips, and with regard tocertain more specific features to such clips for holding adjacentstructural members and various types of covers therefor. Among theseveral objects of the invention may be noted the provision of astructural holding clip which is adapted to hold and rigidly align ,inparallelism adjacent structural members such m as pilasters and headersof panels and the like, and which are adapted to hold various covers,such as decorative pilaster strips, dust covers and the, like; theprovision of a clip o'i the class described which, although providing ahigh degree 13 of accuracy and rigidity between the parts joined, maynevertheless easily be applied manually without the aid of tools, suchas screw drivers, wrenchesor the like; and the provision of a clip ofthe class described which has a simple one- 30 piece form which iseconomical to manufacture. Other objects will be in `part obvious and inpart pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprisesthe elements and combinations oielements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicatedin the following claims. Inthe accompanying drawings, in which are illustrated several of variouspossible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is an isometric view showing a preliminary operation in applyinga clip;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l showing a second operation inapplying the clip;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 illustrating a final operation andthe nal position of the clip;

Fig. 4 is a plan View showing the members of Fig. 3 applied to joiningtwo panels;

n Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a header cornice showing the inventionapplied thereto in two different forms;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of Fig. 5; and,

Fig. 7 is a cross section showing another form of construction forcorners.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughouttheseveral views of the drawings.

It has been known heretofore to use holding clips between adjacentmembers of structural panels and the like. The disadvantages of thesehave been manifold. They have been composed of three or more members ofwhich it has been easy to lose a portion, thus destroying the value of awhole clipunit. They haverequired special Application August 11. 1937.Serial No. 158,478

(Cl. 18S-34) tools for application, such as screw drivers, wrenches andthe like, which make the work of application diiiicult. They have beencostly, and at the same time have not produced the degree ol' rigidityin the iinal structures that the present invention does.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numerals Ia pair of vertical pilaster members. These are intended to illustrategenerally the..vertical metallic members which constitute the edges ofcertain building panels. They include recessed portions 3 for receiving.panels 22 of any desirable material, such as metal or glass, wall-boardor the like (see Fig. 4). It is to be understood that the members I neednot form integral portions of panels, but may constitute independentpilasters which it may be desired to have joined together.

Each member I is recessed as shown to provide a shelf at 5. The inneredges of the shelves 5 are` provided with inturned lips or flanges 1.

Numeral 9 indicates generally the clip which is the subject of thepresent invention. It is constituted by a at body I I, one end of whichis turned at a right angle to form a lateral wing I3. The lateral widthof the wing I3 is preferably greater than that of the body portion Iland reaches laterally beyond the inturned lips 'I of the uprightpilasters I.

At points adjacent the lips I when the clip 9 I is in the position shownin Fig. 2, the wing I3 is provided with notches I5 which are adapted toaccommodate said lips 'I when the clip is turned into the position asshown in Fig. 3. The lateral end portions l1 of the wing I 3 arecontained in the space just behind said lips l, as shown in Fig. 4. Anotch I 9 in the center of the wing serves a purpose to be described.

The end of the body II which is opposite the Wing I3 is provided withright-angular springing, 40

friction lugs 2l upon which are raised, crimped portions 23. The lugs 2lare spaced apart laterally a distance such that when they are pressedtoward the lips 1, the raised, crimped portions 23 may springingly passbetween the lips 1. At this time the body Ii has been rotated from theposition of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3. The clips iinally springinto position behind said lips l, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

'I'he body portion Ii is also provided with lateral extending portions`25 which rest upon the shelves 5 when the clip is in the position shownin Figs. 3 and 4. As illustrated,v the portions 25 are bent slightly outof the plane of the body portion Il and toward the shelves 5 to providea.

springing reaction to the spring-holding eii'ect of the clipped portion23, as will be shown. Ihe edges of the extension 25 are bent back asillustrated at' numeral 21 to provide a tapering guide and clinchergroove for the application of decorative pilaster strips, such as shownat.numerals 25 in Pig. 4. The pilaster .strips 2l are not shown in Figs.l-3. because these iigures are intended to expose the clip per se.

Operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-4 is as follows:

The body I I of the clip is grasped by the workman who places thegeneral plane of said body portion II approximately parallel to' thedirections of the parallel lips 1 (Fig. l) When in this position, theWing I3 is pushed behind said lips 1 and then rotated from the positionshown in Hg. 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2.

'Ihe width of the extending region 3l between the main body portion IIand the right-angular juncture with the wing I3 (Figs. 2 and 3) is equalto the desired spacing between the lips 1 of the pilaster members I.'Ihis spacing is marked F in the drawings.

Furthermore, the distance between the plane ci the wing I3 and theadjacent ends of the lateral extensions 25 is such as to slidablyaccommodate the lips 1. Therefore, at the stage of the operation shown.in Fig. 2, the clip may be readily moved up and down to attain anydesired position.

Finally, the clip is rotated from the position shown in Fig. 2 to thatshown in Fig. 3. This causes the notches I to embrace the lips 1 therebyspacing the pilasters I the desired amount. Then, by means of a blow onthe body portion I I .from a block oi wood or the like, or even byAmeans only of the hand, the crimped portions 23 arespringingly driventhrough spaced ends between the lips 1, whereupon they springingly takeup a position behind said lips. -Ultimately, the extensions 25 contactthe bases of the recesses 5 and the lugs 2l come up against said lips 1.

It will be understood that more than one clip is used in the spacebetween adjacent pilasters. As many as may be desirable are inserted.

Advantages of the clip are that as the wing I3 is rotated, the notchesI5 hold the lips 1 from springing apart as would otherwise be requiredby the expanding action of the crimped portions 23. At the same time.after a complete rotation to the position shown in Fig. 3, the slightspringins of the extensions 25 provide the proper reaction u the:holding crimps n. As a result, the device eiiects an intimate rigiditywhich is of a high order. This, coupled with its one-piece constructionand simplicity of application, is advan- As shown in Fig. 4, after aclip or a. number of clips have been rotated into respective positions,such as also shown inFig. 3. the necessary decorative pilaster strip,such as shown at 25, is simply pushed so that its inturned edges 2spring into the recesses under the re-entrant portions 25. The lips 3|snap or clinch in behind the lateral extensions 25 and eiiect a suitableholding of the pilaster strip. The general C-shape of the pilasterstrips gives them an inherent springiness 'herewith the clinching iseffected.

In Fig. 5 is shown an application of the invention to a cornice-likeheader 33 in which like numel-als designate like parts. .In this casethere is a member 35 which carries a rabbet 31 for receiving anotheredge of the panel 22.

'iheprimarytunctionoi'Figs.5and6herein is to show the use of analternative form of 4clip for holding in place a dust cover 4I. Thiscover is shown on the top of Fig. 5. The clip used to hold the dustcover 4I is provided with the general index character 43, for purpose ofidentification in'Figs. 5 and 6. Like numeralsl otherwise designateparts on this clip like those heretofore described on clip 5. It diiersstructurally from the form of clip shown in Fig. 9 only in that thelateral extensions 25 are not provided with any turned-over portion 21.This is because such portions are not necessary, as will appear.

The dust cover is merely an elongated strip of sheet metal adapted tocover the opening at the top of cornice members such as 33, or openingsin like members. It rests upon the iianged portion or shelves 45 and hasa plurality of openings 41 therein (only one of which is shown), eachadapted to accommodate diagonal entry of the lateral wing I3, so thatthe notches I5 of said wing I3 may be applied behind the spaced lips 49which are turned in along the shelves 45. Then by rotating the clip inthe manner above described, its lugs 2| may be driven through theopposite end of the openings 41 to springingly cooperate with said lips49.

It will be seen from the above that the lateral extensions 25 hold downthe narrow portions 5I of the dust cover 4I which run adjacent to theopenings. Thus the dust cover is positively held down by the extensions;whereas in the case of the pilaster strip 23, it is springingly clinchedor snapped behind the members 25, 21. The purpose of the dust cover isto keep out of the hollow portions of the cornice, things that mightdescend into it, such as dust. pieces of plaster or the like. It is notnecessary that the dust cover be a decorative cover, as is the case withthe pilaster strip 25, and it therefore makes no difference that theclips appear through the holes 41. The bodies I I of the clipssubstantially block the holes against entry of foreign material.

inasmuch as the channels formed by the various members, such as the.cornice member 33, and the pilasters I, are used for stringing wires andthe like, it is desirable that as much freel scribed. 'Ihese lextensions25 also have the turned-in portions 21 over which the pilaster strip I4is clinched. The pilaster strip I4 is of the angle variety to suitablyset oi the corner.

In order to hold the member I0, an inside holding angle I5 is providedhaving lips I8 which are drawn or positioned behind the lips 1 by meansof machine screws 20. A side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 7has not been shown, because all the elements appear in said Fig. 7. Thelength of the members I0, I4 and I5 is unimportant, because the memberI6 can readily be manipulated to be placed behind the lips 1 by turningon a vertical axis.

If and when it becomes desirable to remove a clip of the form of Figs.l6, this may be simply done by using a prying instrument under theportion of the body portion II which is between the easily disassembledlugs 2|. This springs the respective clip from the position shown inFig. 3 -to the position shown in Fig. 2. Thereaftenit is simply graspedby the hand and rotated into the position shown in Fig. 1, andwithdrawn. Thus a structure may be as as assembled. This is sometimesdeslrable in temporary structural work, as in forming temporary boothsand the like. However, it is to be understood that theprimaryapplication of the invention is to structures'ofa permanent,albeit interchangeable and removable in character.

It will be understood that the body portion Il may be strengthened byforming therein pressed ribs or the like. i i

The shapes of the lateral members `2l are generally such as to providemeans for clinching on a cover strip, and it is clear that variousrolledover shapes are available for this purpose, `besides the oneshown.

It is also tobe understood that a single set of dimensions may be usedfor all clips, both ofthe pilaster-strip-holdng and dust-strip-holdingtypes. In this case, the turned-over portions 21 become mere surplusagewhen the device is used for dust-strip holding.

In view of the above it will be seen that the several objects oftheinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. i

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructionswithout departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in ai limiting sense.

We claim:

1. A clip for joining spaced structural members having adjacent parallellips comprising, a body, an angularly related and laterally disposedwing at one end of said body adapted in one position to pass betweensaid lips and having a span greater than the distance between the lips,the wing having notches for accommodating the lips, and spaced lugs atthe opposite end of the body adapted to springingly engage said lipswhen said notches are positioned to accommodate the lips.

2. A clip for joining spaced structural members having adjacent parallellips comprising. a body, a right-angular laterally and disposed'wing atone end of said body adapted in one position to pass between the lipsand having a span greater than the distance between the lips, the winghaving notches for accommodating the lips when the wing is turned, andspaced lugs at the opposite end of the body adapted to springinglyengage said lips when said notches are positioned to accommodate thelips.

3. A clip for joining spaced structural memvspringingly engage said lipswhen said notches are positioned to accommodate the lips, and lateralextensions from said body adapted to engage the structural members ontheir sides opposite the Wing.

4. A clip for joining spaced structural meml bers having adjacent body.

parallel lips comprising a an angular and laterally disposed wing atvend of the body adapted tospringingly `engage said lips when said`notches 'areposltioned to accommodate the lips, lateral extensions fromsaid body adapted to engage the structural members, and portions on saidlateral extensions adapted to eiect a form over which a cover strip maybe snapped. i

5. A clip for fastening structural members `having adjacent parallelportions comprising, a body portion, an angular and laterally disposedwing adapted to be inserted between said structural members and uponturning to span them and to become positioned behind the same, andfrictional holding means at the other end of said body portion adaptedto eiect `an expanding frictional hold betweenv said structuralportions.

6. A clip for fastening structural members having adjacent parallel lipportions comprising, a body portion, an angular and laterally disposedwing adapted to be inserted between said structural portions and uponturning to span them and to become positioned behind the same, said winghaving notches adapted to receive said lips upon rotation, andfrictional holding means at the other end of said body `portion adaptedto effect an expanding frictional hold between said structural portions,said wing resisting spreading of the structural members by the expansiveforce l' of said frictional holding means.

8. A clip ior fastening structural members having adjacent parallelportions comprising, a body portion, an angular and laterally disposedwing adapted to be inserted between said structural portions and uponturning to span them and to become positioned behind` the same, andfrictional holding means at the other end of said Lbody portion adaptedto eiect an expanding and frictional hold between said structuralportions, and lateral extensions on the body portion adapted to engagesaid structural members on their sides opposite the side upon which theyare engaged by the wing.

9. A holding clip for structural members having parallel lips,comprising a body portion, an angular wing at one end of the bodyportion having a span which is greater than the distance between saidlips andhaving notches to accommodate said lips, spring-like lugs at theother end of the body portion and extending in the same direction assaid wing, said lugs having crimps adapted to springingly take uppositions between said lips, said body portion having lateral portionsto hold a cover member.

10.` A holding clip for structural members having lips comprising a bodyportion, an angular wing at one end of the body portion having a spanwhich is greater than the distance between said lips and having notchesto accommodate said lips, spring-like lugs at the other end ofdirectionassaidwing, said lugs `having crimps adapted to springinglytake up positions between said lips, lateral extensions from'said bodyportion. said extensions having shapes at their edges adapted to permitthe mapping. thereover'of a cover member. v

11. In a building structure, adjacent members to be spaced andi'joinedand parallel lips there#- on, a` one-piece clip. comprising a bodyportion arranged to span a region between said lips, an angular wingvformlngyan extension from said body portion and adapted to bevpositioned behind said lips, said wing having notches to accommodatesaid` lips, spring-like lugs at the other end of said bodyI portion andadaptedto springingly take up a position between and behind said lips,and lateral extensions from said body portions adapted to engage thestructural members on sides thereof which are opposite vthe sides whichare engaged bysaid wing.

12. In a building structure, adjacent members to be spaced and joinedand parallel lips thereon, a one-piececlip comprising a body portionarranged to spana region between said lips, an angular wing forming anextension from said body portion and adaptedto vbe positioned behindsaid lips, said wing having notchesl to accommodate said lips,spring-like lugs at the other end of said body portion and adapted tospringingly take up a position between and behind said lips, lateralextensions from said body portions adapted to engage the structuralmembers on sides members having parallel -thereof which are opposite thesides which are engaged by said wing, said lateral extensions havingshapes to provide reentrant regions, and a cover strip -having portions`adapted to snap into saidre-entrant regions.

13. In a building structure, adjacent spaced lips thereon, a onepiececlip comprising a'body portion arranged to span a region betweensaidlips, an angular wing forming an extension from said body portion andadapted to be positioned behind said lips, said wing having notches'toaccommodate said lips, spring-like lugs at the; other end of said bodyportion and adapted to springingly take up a position between and behindsaid lips, lateral extensions from said body portions adaptbers. a clipcomprising a body portion, a lateral wing at one end of said bodyportion having a span greater than the distance between the inner edgesof said shelf-,like member, holding lugs at the other end of said bodyportion,

lateral extensions from said body portion, said hole in the dust coverbeing adapted to permit application of said wing behind the` shelf-likemember, said clip thereafter being rotatable to permit springingengagement of said lugs between said shelf members, the lugs passingthrough said openings to make the engagement, and said portionsubstantially closing said opening.

15. A building construction comprising spaced, adjacent shelf portions,a one-piece clip comprising a body portion, an angular wing formedtherewith adapted to be turned to take up a position on one sidesof saidshelf portions, lateral extensions from the body portion adapted to takeup a position on the opposite side of said shelf portions, and lugs atthe end of said body portion opposite to the wing-end adapted tospringingly engage between and behind said shelf portions.

16. A building construction comprising spaced, adjacent shelf portions,a one-piece clip comprising a body portion, an angular wing formedtherewith adapted to be turned to take up a position on' one'side ofsaid shelf portions, lateralextensions from the body portion adapted totake up a position on the opposite side of said shelf portions, and lugsat the end of said body portion opposite to the wing-end adapted tospringingly engage between and behind said shelf portions, said lateralextensions having means for holding a cover strip.

HENRY G. WOEHLER. WALTER J. WOEHLER.

